In Libya, British warplanes have bombed a bunker in Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte. The rebel fighters grouped for another push on one of the last major regime holdouts east of Tripoli. The UN human rights chief warned against assassinating Gaddafi, whose whereabouts are unknown and who has a USD 1.7 million rebel price on his head. NATO said that its planes had hit 29 armed vehicles and a “command and control node” in the vicinity of Sirte. Transitional National Council, the rebels' interim government in the meantime has started operating in the capital, Tripoli. The Council moved its base from Benghazi, where the revolution to topple Colonel Muammar Gadhafi began months ago. . Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi killed more than 150 prisoners in a “mass murder” as they fled the rebel takeover of Tripoli. A rebel military chief said that there were instances of revenge in the last few hours before the fall of the regime. In Bab al-Aziziya, there was a mass murder.The African Union, A.U, has rejected calls for recognition of Libya’s rebel Transitional National Council. The decision highlights Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s lingering influence at the continental organization he headed as recently as two years ago. United Nations Deputy Secretary General Asha Rose Migiro opened an African Union Peace and Security summit on Friday by urging the continental body to recognize Libya’s new political reality. Migiro said we must help the country’s new leaders to establish an effective and legitimate government that represents and speaks for all the country’s diverse people. South African President Jacob Zuma, who presided over the security summit, rejected suggestions that TNC victory is certain. He told reporters many African leaders see another reality. Libya’s AU ambassador, Ali Abdallah Awidan, downplayed the significance of the Peace and Security Council’s inaction. Awidan, who this week switched his allegiance to the TNC, called the decision a temporary setback.
News On AIR | August 27, 2011 9:23 AM
British warplanes bomb Gaddafi’s hometown Sirte